CVE-2023-3326

What it is

pam_krb5 authenticates a user by essentially running kinit with the password, getting a ticket-granting ticket (tgt) from the Kerberos KDC (Key Distribution Center) over the network, as a way to verify the password. However, if a keytab is not provisioned on the system, pam_krb5 has no way to validate the response from the KDC, and essentially trusts the tgt provided over the network as being valid. In a non-default FreeBSD installation that leverages pam_krb5 for authentication and does not have a keytab provisioned, an attacker that is able to control both the password and the KDC responses can return a valid tgt, allowing authentication to occur for any user on the system.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited over the network without logging in. High risk of data exposure, data tampering, service disruption.

Exploit odds

1.1% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

1. 2023-06-22 17:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-06-17 06:13 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 1.1% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 9.8 CRITICAL (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2023-06-22 17:15 UTC

Last modified

2026-06-17 06:13 UTC

Exploit probability

1.1% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-303

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Freebsd < 12.4
• Freebsd < 13.1
• Freebsd 12.4
• Freebsd 13.1
• Freebsd 13.2

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 9.8

Attack vector

Network

Complexity

Low

Privileges needed

None

User interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

High

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2023-3326.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2023-3326. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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